A glass or two of wine, particularly red wine, has been shown to provide many health benefits, particularly to your cardiovascular system. A variety of compounds in wine are believed to have cardioprotective effects that may help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. However, moderation is key when consuming alcohol. The American Heart Association and other health groups caution against drinking alcohol if you don't drink already.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant compound found in red wine as well as some berries and peanuts. In the production of red wine, resveratrol comes from the skin of red grapes and may have cardioprotective effects as well as other health benefits. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, resveratrol has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation, or the process of blood clotting, that may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It also helps prevent blood vessel damage by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes and increases blood flow by enhancing vascular dilatation or widening. However, further studies are needed, as resveratrol research has primarily been limited to animal studies, according to MayoClinic.com.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are another type of antioxidant found in high levels in red wine, but they are also found in foods such as oranges, apples, teas and some herbs. Along with antioxidant properties, flavonoids affect cell-signaling pathways, which may help prevent cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The Yale-New Haven Hospital states that flavonoids may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels, increasing HDL or good cholesterol and reducing blood clot formation.
Ethanol
Alcohol, technically known as ethanol, may have protective health benefits as well. Although heavy drinking leads to a variety of health problems such as liver and heart disease, moderate alcohol consumption may have benefits for the heart. According to MayoClinic.com, alcohol may have anti-clotting effects and may increase the level good cholesterol and prevent damage to the arteries by reducing bad cholesterol. The American Heart Association defines moderate drinking as one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. A drink is considered a 12-oz. can of beer, a glass of wine or a shot of liquor.
References
- Yale-New Haven Hospital: A glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away
- MayoClinic.com: Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Flavonoids
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Resveratrol
- American Heart Association: Alcohol, Wine and Cardiovascular Disease
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